Slegers Describes Arsenal Women’s Champions League Fixture Clash as a ‘Bump in the Road’

Interim manager Renee Slegers, a former Netherlands midfielder who has been leading Arsenal since Jonas Eidevall’s resignation in October, characterized the necessity to relocate the Women’s Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich from Emirates Stadium as a “bump in the road.” This move is a direct consequence of a scheduling conflict involving the men’s team. This specific match, which marks Arsenal’s final group-stage encounter, is scheduled for Wednesday, 18 December. The club commenced ticket sales for this game in September. Nevertheless, the fixture now coincides with the Carabao Cup quarter-final, featuring the men’s team against Crystal Palace. Slegers commented on the situation, stating, “I think it’s been a very hard dilemma for the club – two great teams competing in competitions.” She further elaborated, “I think what ourselves have been doing really well is pushing the growth of women’s football for a very long time. So I think this is a bump in the road – but what Arsenal has done for women’s football over time is very strong.” Crystal Palace’s sole available midweek day, allowing for two rest days between their matches, is Wednesday. This is due to their televised Premier League games scheduled for the preceding Sunday and the subsequent Saturday. An additional complication arises from the EFL Cup scheduling, as Tottenham has been drawn to play at home against Manchester United. Manchester United also has a league fixture on the preceding Sunday. For policing considerations, London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are prohibited from hosting major matches on the same evening. Arsenal is currently investigating alternative venues with Uefa, the European governing body, for the Bayern match. One option under consideration is relocating the fixture to Meadow Park in Borehamwood. While the women’s team has historically played most of their Women’s Super League (WSL) games at Meadow Park, its facilities do not comply with Uefa regulations. Slegers further stated, “We look forward to playing against Bayern Munich and having a Champions League night either way.” Slegers, who previously served as an assistant coach under Jonas Eidevall, has achieved two victories and one draw during her tenure as interim boss. She has expressed her desire to continue as part of Arsenal’s coaching staff, irrespective of the individual appointed as the next permanent manager. The former Netherlands midfielder has been at the helm of the Gunners since Jonas Eidevall’s resignation in October, though she has not publicly discussed her prospects of securing the position permanently. Nick Cushing, the head coach for New York City and former manager of Manchester City women’s team, has surfaced as an initial candidate for the role. However, he is currently overseeing play-off matches in the United States during November. When questioned about her desire to remain at Arsenal, Slegers responded, “That’s my thinking at the moment. I enjoy being part of a club, I enjoy working with the players, I enjoyed the role that I had before I had to step in and take this role temporarily – so I hope so.” During a pre-match news conference held on Thursday, Slegers also affirmed that the departure of Edu as Arsenal’s sporting director has not affected the recruitment process for the club’s forthcoming permanent head coach for the women’s team. Edu submitted his resignation on Monday, having served in the position for two years. He had initially returned to the Gunners as technical director in the summer of 2019. Slegers stated, “There is a technical committee working in this process, and it’s not affected by this. So there’s a good process.” She added, “I think he’s meant a lot for the women’s team at Arsenal. He’s meant a lot for the whole club.”